Man with ‘multiple firearms’ shot dead after exchange of gunfire with police in Mississauga: SIU

SIU and Peel police provide details on a Mississauga shooting, confirming the man died on scene and multiple firearms were recovered.

A 44-year-old man is dead after an exchange of gunfire with police in Mississauga early Saturday morning, following what investigators say began as a domestic-related call.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., a woman contacted police to report a domestic incident and said her husband had left their home with a firearm in the area of Perran Drive and Paula Court, according to Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit.

Speaking to reporters shorty after 10 a.m. SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said officers later located the man.

“Officers located the person of interest. Then on Fifth Line West, there was an exchange of gunfire between the man and officers,” she said.

“Four officers had discharged their firearms at the man, and the man was struck multiple times. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Peel Regional Police had previously said officers responded to the area, noting that no officers were injured and there were no outstanding suspects.

“At this time, we have five investigators and three forensic investigators assigned to the case. We’re asking anyone with any information to contact the unit,” Hudon noted.

She added that investigators will be reviewing multiple sources of evidence.

“Over the course of the next hours and days and weeks, our investigators will be speaking to anyone with any information. They will be looking at body-worn camera footage from police, in-car camera cruiser footage, as well as collecting any footage from homes in the area.”

Firearms recovered, suspect not licensed: police

Peel police Const. Tyler Bell-Morena said there is prior history involving the man but declined to elaborate.

“There is a history involving this individual, the full extent of which I can’t get into at this point, just out of respect for the family,” he said. “But there were firearms recovered, and I say that plural, there was a firearm that was used in the exchange and one that was discarded by the individual a little bit down the road.”

He added the man was not legally permitted to have firearms.

“What I can say is that he’s not authorized to own or possess firearms. So he’s not a licensed firearms owner,” he explained.

“He was armed. He was armed pretty well, with multiple firearms. There’s no telling what would have happened.”

SIU leading investigation

The SIU, which investigates incidents involving police that result in death or serious injury has invoked its mandate and is leading the investigation.

Police say a large scene remains in place are asking people to avoid the area.